O/L practical exams to be held once schools reopen: Examination Commissioner

Students who have a minimum of seven passes with two credits and have reached proficiency level in aesthetic subject assessments can select a stream and start A/L classes, Education Ministry Secretary Kapila Perera said.

Last year’s O/L examination results were released this week sans the practical examination results for aesthetic subjects.

“We examined the performance levels (from continuous assessments) of nearly 170,000 students who have applied for aesthetic subjects that require practical examinations. Out of that only 709 students have very low performance. The decision to release O/L results was taken after consulting with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa before he left for New York and the President’s Secretary,” he said.

Prof. Perera said releasing the results of other subjects will have a positive encouragement for students to prepare for the practical examinations.

“It is not possible to immediately hold practical examinations once schools reopen. Some music rooms in schools are filled with dust and infested with rats and damaged musical equipment. Therefore time should be given to prepare for practical exams once schools reopen,” he said.

Examination Commissioner Sanath Pujitha said the Examination Department is prepared to conduct practical exams once schools are reopened.

“Results of aesthetics subjects could have been given based on school based assessments. But it would be unfair for private candidates. Therefore practical exams will be held as planned,” he said.

A total of 423,746 school applicants and 198,606 private applicants sat for last year’s O/L exams held earlier this year. (NF)